Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 12:46     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Back in the 90s/00s, JMU was a very hot school for OOS. I am from SE PA and it was a very popular school for those in the top 5-10% of their class esp in PA, NJ and NY. I remember my graduating year there were two different valedictorians from the area who got rejected.

Go Dukes!!
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 12:16     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
My DC just chose JMU from FCPS. Business major. $35k/year COA.

Their other choices (all between $50-75k/year COA after merit aid):

Penn State
Indiana (not Kelley)
Michigan State
Pitt
Loyola MD
College of Charleston
Xavier
Syracuse

Plus they want to work in DC after college, study abroad and rush, all of which they can do at JMU. They will be rooming w someone from out of state. I’m happy for them.


Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 12:10     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
I would turn down University of Maryland versus JMU. Especially if you’re not a computer science or math person, or don’t love the College Park area, JMU is the better choice. Especially for an in-state Virginia student.

Also, I meet and hire kids all the time from both schools, there is no discernible academic difference.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 10:55     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
I'm glad my fellow 2000s are showing up to back me up! I'm not saying it's not a good school at all! It just was looked at as a step down and not usually a first choice. I had many great weekends there from 2001-2005.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 10:43     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Maybe it was popular but it was looked on as a not so smart kid school. I went to another school in VA in the early 2000’s
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 10:42     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Nobody is turning down U. of Maryland at College Park to go to JMU.

But if your alternatives are Towson, UMBC, Salisbury St. or places like American, Goucher, or Mount St. Mary's, JMU is really appealing.

It has a flagship public university vibe. It isn't a commuter school at all, it has a classic college campus town environment, sports the students care about, and just great school spirit. The programs are decent, varied and the school offers a modest amount of merit aid to OOS applicants.

Then on top of all that, a huge portion of the students are from the DC area and want to work in DC after school. So most of your friends and recruiters are going to be from the DC area.

It makes it feel more comfortable than going to a school like Iowa State, Michigan State, or like U. of West Virginia (schools with modest admissions requirements in public flagship type of campuses).



Many people would rather go to jmu for in state tuition and the campus. Umd is in pg county jmu is a spacious country area with skiing and the Shenandoah mountains. Where would you rather go? UMD is over hyped anyway.

How so?


sentiment on the University of Maryland (UMD) is highly divided: many argue it is overhyped, citing intense,, hyper-competitive in-state admissions, a bureaucratic administration, and a "mid" social life

That's funny you say that. On this same thread a poster was slamming JMU because its acceptance rate was TOO HIGH. Schools can't win on DCUM...accept for Wisconsin.

Except
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 10:42     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Nobody is turning down U. of Maryland at College Park to go to JMU.

But if your alternatives are Towson, UMBC, Salisbury St. or places like American, Goucher, or Mount St. Mary's, JMU is really appealing.

It has a flagship public university vibe. It isn't a commuter school at all, it has a classic college campus town environment, sports the students care about, and just great school spirit. The programs are decent, varied and the school offers a modest amount of merit aid to OOS applicants.

Then on top of all that, a huge portion of the students are from the DC area and want to work in DC after school. So most of your friends and recruiters are going to be from the DC area.

It makes it feel more comfortable than going to a school like Iowa State, Michigan State, or like U. of West Virginia (schools with modest admissions requirements in public flagship type of campuses).



Many people would rather go to jmu for in state tuition and the campus. Umd is in pg county jmu is a spacious country area with skiing and the Shenandoah mountains. Where would you rather go? UMD is over hyped anyway.

How so?


sentiment on the University of Maryland (UMD) is highly divided: many argue it is overhyped, citing intense,, hyper-competitive in-state admissions, a bureaucratic administration, and a "mid" social life

That's funny you say that. On this same thread a poster was slamming JMU because its acceptance rate was TOO HIGH. Schools can't win on DCUM...accept for Wisconsin.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 10:33     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Nobody is turning down U. of Maryland at College Park to go to JMU.

But if your alternatives are Towson, UMBC, Salisbury St. or places like American, Goucher, or Mount St. Mary's, JMU is really appealing.

It has a flagship public university vibe. It isn't a commuter school at all, it has a classic college campus town environment, sports the students care about, and just great school spirit. The programs are decent, varied and the school offers a modest amount of merit aid to OOS applicants.

Then on top of all that, a huge portion of the students are from the DC area and want to work in DC after school. So most of your friends and recruiters are going to be from the DC area.

It makes it feel more comfortable than going to a school like Iowa State, Michigan State, or like U. of West Virginia (schools with modest admissions requirements in public flagship type of campuses).



Many people would rather go to jmu for in state tuition and the campus. Umd is in pg county jmu is a spacious country area with skiing and the Shenandoah mountains. Where would you rather go? UMD is over hyped anyway.

How so?


sentiment on the University of Maryland (UMD) is highly divided: many argue it is overhyped, citing intense,, hyper-competitive in-state admissions, a bureaucratic administration, and a "mid" social life
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 10:11     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Nobody is turning down U. of Maryland at College Park to go to JMU.

But if your alternatives are Towson, UMBC, Salisbury St. or places like American, Goucher, or Mount St. Mary's, JMU is really appealing.

It has a flagship public university vibe. It isn't a commuter school at all, it has a classic college campus town environment, sports the students care about, and just great school spirit. The programs are decent, varied and the school offers a modest amount of merit aid to OOS applicants.

Then on top of all that, a huge portion of the students are from the DC area and want to work in DC after school. So most of your friends and recruiters are going to be from the DC area.

It makes it feel more comfortable than going to a school like Iowa State, Michigan State, or like U. of West Virginia (schools with modest admissions requirements in public flagship type of campuses).



Many people would rather go to jmu for in state tuition and the campus. Umd is in pg county jmu is a spacious country area with skiing and the Shenandoah mountains. Where would you rather go? UMD is over hyped anyway.

How so?
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 10:01     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:Nobody is turning down U. of Maryland at College Park to go to JMU.

But if your alternatives are Towson, UMBC, Salisbury St. or places like American, Goucher, or Mount St. Mary's, JMU is really appealing.

It has a flagship public university vibe. It isn't a commuter school at all, it has a classic college campus town environment, sports the students care about, and just great school spirit. The programs are decent, varied and the school offers a modest amount of merit aid to OOS applicants.

Then on top of all that, a huge portion of the students are from the DC area and want to work in DC after school. So most of your friends and recruiters are going to be from the DC area.

It makes it feel more comfortable than going to a school like Iowa State, Michigan State, or like U. of West Virginia (schools with modest admissions requirements in public flagship type of campuses).



Many people would rather go to jmu for in state tuition and the campus. Umd is in pg county jmu is a spacious country area with skiing and the Shenandoah mountains. Where would you rather go? UMD is over hyped anyway.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 09:59     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Nobody is turning down U. of Maryland at College Park to go to JMU.

But if your alternatives are Towson, UMBC, Salisbury St. or places like American, Goucher, or Mount St. Mary's, JMU is really appealing.

It has a flagship public university vibe. It isn't a commuter school at all, it has a classic college campus town environment, sports the students care about, and just great school spirit. The programs are decent, varied and the school offers a modest amount of merit aid to OOS applicants.

Then on top of all that, a huge portion of the students are from the DC area and want to work in DC after school. So most of your friends and recruiters are going to be from the DC area.

It makes it feel more comfortable than going to a school like Iowa State, Michigan State, or like U. of West Virginia (schools with modest admissions requirements in public flagship type of campuses).

Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 08:42     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:Our kids mulled it, but in the end, they didn't feel like they would quite fit in, socially. Our kids are very bright, but artsy and more introverted, individualistic types, definitely not Greek system material. Our kids have ended up at schools where they could blend in seamlessly without a second glance. Where they can streak and dye their hair on occasion and nobody will notice or care, wear quirky thrift store finds instead of Lululemon and American Eagle Outfitters, or whatever. In the end, it's all about fit. Every kid has to go on feel and pick the school where they walk on to the campus and say: this is me, this is my vibe. We all thought the gym was very nice, though!


If your kids weren’t into it, fine, of course. But this is just kind of a weird comment. JMU has a great art school and performing arts programs, as well. No one’s gonna bat an eye at streaked hair, lol.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 08:35     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to see that Jmu’s acceptance rate is 72%.


It’s projected to be below 70% for 2025 and even lower for fall 2026.

It odd that people correlate acceptance rate with quality.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 07:53     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to see that Jmu’s acceptance rate is 72%.

Ok
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 07:52     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes popular VA instate back up to UVA, VT, and W&M.


That was my point earlier that other posters didn't get. No one was "striving" to get to JMU. It's a fantastic school, but it was not popular in the early 00's. It was a back up plan.


Ha! I was certainly "striving" to get into JMU around that time. I didn't get in and was crushed. Maybe speak for yourself?
DP


If you had 1050 SAT

Only 16% submit SAT, so that's not correct.